1917 – 2015

LEWISTON — Theresa Pelletier, of Lewiston, passed away on Friday, May 29, at the age of 97, after a short illness. She rests now in eternal peace, and in the hearts and memories of all who loved her.

She was born in Lewiston on Sept. 26, 1917, to Marie Anne (Bellemare) and Leopold Maillet, who ran a Lisbon Street grocery store, where their children spent many happy hours.

In 1939, she married Lionel Pelletier, whom she had met at a Maple Leafs hockey game, a team for which he was goalie.

For many years, they both worked at St. Mary’s Hospital; Lionel as a cabinetmaker and Theresa as a seamstress. She was accomplished at making a range of items, from surgical linens to nuns’ habits.

A quiet and reflective person, Theresa gravitated toward what was beautiful in the world — flowers, birds, sunsets, music and good books. Her home was “a revolving door” for her children, grandchildren, their offspring and their partners, who could always count on a helping hand, encouraging words and a delicious piece of apple cobbler or gingerbread.

A petite person, she was “Little Lady” or “Little Grammy,” to most. Her small stature was matched by her strong determination, quirky humor, sharp intellect and courage in her final days.

She leaves two daughters, Nancy Reynolds and spouse, Joe, and Susann Pelletier and spouse, Jim Lysen, of Lewiston; a son, Norman of Chesterville; and eight grandchildren, all of Lewiston, John Hodgkiss, Thomas Hodgkiss, Karen Johnson, Susan Marcous, Annie Arnold, Michael Pelletier, Julie Conkright and Genevieve Lysen, their partners and children. She also leaves two sisters, Helen Bedard of Lewiston and Carmen Foreman of West Paris.